Airbus A380 wins prestigious UK award

The UK’s national noise reduction charity, the Noise Abatement Society, presented the Airbus A380 a top award at their annual award ceremony last night recognising the aircraft’s reduced noise around airport communities.

There will be 10 daily A380 flights to Heathrow by the end of the year, which has the strictest noise regulations of any airport worldwide and is the benchmark on which noise measurement for aircraft is based.

At a special event held at the House of Commons in London, the Society presented Airbus with the John Connell Silent Approach Award for the A380 and its innovations in quiet technology.

Presented by Sir Bob Russell MP, the award recognises local authorities, industry, organisations and individuals judged to have been outstanding in their efforts to reduce the impact of noise nuisance or seeking to pioneer practical and innovative solutions to noise pollution and the enhancement and management of the soundscape.

Lisa Lavia, Managing Director of the Noise Abatement Society said: “The NAS was immensely impressed with the reduced external noise emissions of the A380 compared to typical equivalent aircraft and with its quiet and peaceful interior acoustics. This proves that with commitment and engineering excellence noise pollution need not be the inevitable by-product of progress. And that traditionally noisy operations and equipment can be made quieter for the benefit of all.”

John Roberts, Airbus in the UK A380 Chief Engineer said: "We are immensely proud to have received this award which recognises the tremendous work done by Airbus and our key stakeholders. The reduction in the environmental impacts of our aircraft is the result of constant investment and commitment over many years. Our industry is committed to greener aviation and in the last 50 years the aviation industry has cut noise by 75%.

He added: “The A380 has been in service with airlines for over five years and is the quietest long-haul aircraft for the foreseeable future - generating only half the noise on departure of some other large long haul aircraft and up to four times less noise on landing whilst carrying 40% more passengers. The A380 is also recognized as having made a step change in passenger comfort by the huge reduction of noise levels within the cabin, making long haul flying a more enjoyable experience."

Typically seating 525 passengers in three classes, the aircraft is capable of flying 8,500 nautical miles or 15,700 kilometres non-stop, carrying more people at lower cost and with less impact on the environment. The spacious, quiet cabin and smooth ride have made the A380 a firm favourite with passengers, resulting in higher load factors wherever it flies. To date, Airbus has recorded 257 firm orders for the A380 from 20 customers.

The A380 fleet undertakes 120 commercial flights each day (takes off or lands approximately every 6 min) and carries 1.25 million passengers each month. To date over 29 million passengers have flown on the A380 fleet which has grown to 89 today.